Onam, the principal
festival of Kerala, is celebrated against a setting of lush
green vegetation. This picturesque harvest festival brings
with it ten days of colour, feasting, boat races, song and
dance to the state.
According to legend, the state's
most colourful festival, Onam celebrates the golden age of
King Mahabali, the mythical ruler of Kerala. The festival is
celebrated to welcome the spirit of King Mahabali, and to
assure him that his people are happy and wish him well. The
myth goes like this:
The Devas or gods were
worried over the wise and good rule of Mahabali, the Asura
king, thinking that he might become too powerful. They sought
the help of Vishnu (the preserver in the Hindu trinity) to
curb Mahabali's power. Vishnu, in the form of a dwarf called
Vamana, approached him and was offered a boon by the king.
Vamana asked for three paces of land and the king agreed to
it. Soon the dwarf began to expand and with the first step, he
covered the sky, blotting out the stars, and with the second,
he straddled the nether world. Realising that the Vamana's
third step will destroy the earth, Mahabali offered his head
as the last step. The gods were glad, but since Mahabali was
so attached to his kingdom and his subjects and was very much
loved by the people, he was allowed to return once a year.
Onam (Thiruonam) is considered to be the day
when King Mahabali comes from exile to visit his beloved
people.
The festivity begins ten days before Thiruonam, by putting floral decorations (Pookkalam) on every home. At Trichur
(Thrissur), caparisoned elephants take part in a
spectacular procession. A magnificent display of fireworks
marks the end of the festivities here. At Cheruthuruthy,
appreciative crowds gather on the green, where the Kathakali dancers, resplendent in their brilliant
costumes, re-enact the well-loved stories of the epic heroes
and virtuous women. Pulikali, also known as Kaduvakali is a common sight during Onam season.
Performers painted like tigers in bright yellow, red and
black, dance to the beats of instruments like udukku and thakil.
The Vallamkali (boat race)
is one of the main attractions of Onam, and is best seen at
Aranmulai and Kottayam. About a hundred oarsmen row huge and
graceful odee (boats). Oars dip and flash to the rhythm
of drums and cymbals in each boat. The songs are generally
typical in character and concern people well known in Malabar.
Above each boat gleam scarlet silk umbrellas: their number
denoting the affluence of the family owning the boat. Gold
coins and tassels hang from these umbrellas.
To know the other
fabulous festivals of India better you may visit the following
link:
Other
Indian Festivals
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